BOB Prescribing Quality Scheme

Prescribing Quality Scheme (PQS) 2023-24

Details of the Prescribing Quality Scheme 2023-24 can be found here.  The introductory webinar recording is available here: 

 PQS 23-24 Practice Webinar-20230517_130227-Meeting Recording.mp4 and slides here

Details of how the money awarded can be used by practices for improving patient care can be found here.

Prescribing Quality Scheme Resources for 2023-24

Searches and data collection sheets have been built by the Medicines Optimisation Team to ensure a consistent approach to all the targets across all BOB practices. The data collection sheets should be used to submit evidence, they also contain tabs with background information and resources, instructions on how to complete the review and template AccuRx messages for patients which can be used and adapted by practices, where appropriate.

All the resources will be available on this page, via the links provided below for Emis Web and SystmOne practices.  Vision practices will be contacted directly by their MOT contact and the resources will be shared.

For Emis Web practices the searches will also be added to a folder in EMIS, your MOT contact will provide details of where these can be accessed and how they can be used.

For SystmOne practices please also refer to this guide for information on how to manipulate the searches and reports.

The Medicines Optimisation team are available to provide advice on running searches and completing the data sheets for each target. In some instances the MOT may need to access your clinical system remotely and we will follow our ‘Principles of Remote Working’ guidance which can be found here.

Prescribing Quality Scheme Dashboard

Practices will be sent a monthly PQS Dashboard to enable practices track their progress for the PQS targets.

MOT have produced a PQS Dashboard Demonstration video explaining what information is available on the dashboard. Is is available here

Target 1 – Hypertension

Review of patients on the hypertension register, with a BP >140/90mmHg, who are only prescribed a single agent with a view to optimise treatment and/or review modifiable lifestyle risk factors to achieve better control.

EMIS Web Hypertension Resources

SystmOne Hypertension Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

Target 2 – Lipid Management

Review of patients aged < 80 years who are prescribed a suboptimal Statin for Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Simvastatin, Fluvastatin and Pravastatin). Ensure patients are reviewed in line with local guidance and treatment optimised where appropriate.

EMIS Web Lipid Management Resources

SystmOne Lipid Management Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

Target 3 – Antimicrobial Stewardship Audit

Undertake an audit of the prescribing of 4Cs (Co-amoxiclav, Cephalosporins, Clindamycin and Quinolones). Patient numbers for the audit are determined by practice list size and this is specified in the audit document. Max 20 per cycle.

SCAN guidelines are now available on the digital platform MicroGuide – this can be accessed as an app on a phone or tablet device or via a web viewer on a desktop computer or laptop. Instructions can be accessed here.

EMIS Web 4Cs Resources

SystmOne 4Cs Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

Target 4 – Gastro-protection

There are 3 separate searches for this target and 3 separate tabs on the data collection sheet.

  1. a) Review all patients aged 65 and over prescribed an oral NSAID in the last 6 months, who do not have any gastro-protection prescribed. (Aspirin 75mg has been excluded)
  2. b) Review all patients prescribed an oral anticoagulant plus an anti-platelet, who do not have any gastro-protection prescribed.
  3. c) Review all patients prescribed aspirin plus an anti-platelet, who do not have any gastro-protection prescribed.

Treatment should be reviewed to ensure it continues to be appropriate and stopped where necessary. Where treatment is continued gastro-protection should be considered, along with risk.

EMIS Web Gastroprotection search Resources

SystmOne Gastroprotection search Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

Target 5 – Blood Glucose Testing strips

Review all type 2 diabetic patients, aged 18 and over, currently prescribed a blood glucose test strip costing more than £6.00 for 50 strips and switch to a machine that takes one of the preferred test strips wherever possible.

Please ensure the patient is provided with a new machine before switching the test strips.  They should use up any existing strips before starting the new ones.

EMIS Web Non-formulary BGTS Search Resources

SystmOne Non-formulary BGTS Search Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

Target 6 – Tiotropium 10 microgram and 18 microgram inhalers

Consider switching all appropriate patients to the preferred brand Tiogiva®.

Tiogiva® is a more cost-effective brand and will therefore generate savings for investment in other areas of prescribing. Spiriva Respimat 2.5 microgram inhalation solution and its generic version are not included in this target and should not be switched.

EMIS Web Tiotropium search Resources

SystmOne Tiotropium search Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

Target 7 – Generic Savings

Consider switching all appropriate patients on one of the stated brands to the generic equivalent for each of the 2 categories below.

a) Glaucoma eye drops as indicated by MOT (Azarga® 10mg/ml + 5mg/ml, DuoTrav®, Lumigan® 0.1mg/ml and Xalatan® 50mcg/ml). Unpreserved eye drops are not included in this target.

b) Cerelle® and Cerazette®

EMIS Web Branded Generic Resources

SystmOne Branded Generic Resources

Vision – Please email your MOT contact for search and data collection sheet.

OptimiseRx and Scriptswitch messages have been activated to support the work in this years PQS.